Reinvigorating a historical trading town by strengthening its identity and accessibility
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Holbæk Town Centre Development Plan 2021-2031
City of Holbæk
Holbæk Town Centre
Holbæk, Denmark
Historic City Centre
Assignment complete 2021
Drive in a western direction from Copenhagen for one hour, and the town of Holbæk rises by the shores of a beautiful inlet. Holbæk has been a trade village since the medieval times, and it has a strong sense of history. The town did not fully benefit from its many qualities in the modern age of the 2020’s. Therefore, the City of Holbæk requested our advice on how to develop the potentials of the town centre going forward. How can Holbæk stand out from the many other typical Danish province towns surrounding the capital?
In a process involving stakeholders, the mayor and all political parties Schulze+Grassov has guided the City of Holbæk towards becoming an attracting town focusing mainly on strengthening the identity of the town centre. Our work is manifested in a politically adopted development plan describing both strategically and specifically what to change from 2021 to 2031 – with the goal to make Holbæk a true gem by the sea.
Four strategic recommendations
With the clear vision to strengthen Holbæk town centre’s identity, we set out four strategic recommendations.
Highlight and connect the town centre's unique qualities
Prioritise slow movement to improve experiences and retail
Cultivate four distinct neighbourhoods
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Introduce a Town Centre Coordinator to initiate and facilitate dialogue across stakeholders